Who wrote the song 'Black Betty?

"Black Betty" is a 20th century African-American work song often credited to Huddie (Leadbelly) Ledbetter as the author, though the earliest recordings are not by him. Some sources claim it is one of Leadbelly's many adaptations of earlier folk material.

The song was first recorded in the field by U.S. musicologists John and Alan Lomax in 1933, performed a-capella by the convict James Baker (also known as Iron Head) and a group at Central State Farm, Sugar Land, Texas.

The Lomaxes were recording for the Library of Congress and later field recordings in 1934, 1936 and 1939 also include versions of "Black Betty". It was recorded commercially in 1939 by blues artist Leadbelly, as part of a medley with two other work songs: "Looky Looky Yonder" and "Yellow Womans Doorbells".

Leadbelly's 1939 recording was also performed a-capella, most subsequent versions added a guitar accompaniment. These include folk style recordings in 1964 by Odetta (as a medley with "Looky Yonder"), Harry Belafonte, and Alan Lomax himself. In 1976 a Cincinnati band "Starstruck", recorded a rock version of the song. In 1977, the rock band "Ram Jam" - whose members included Bill Bartlett, formerly of Starstruck and The Lemon Pipers rerecorded the song.

The latest version I'm personally aware of is by a rock band called "Soil", released in 2007.

Bad Company has done it as well.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seed also recorded it.

Soil originally released the song in 1999. The record label re released the Throttle Junkies album again in 2007.

Don't forget Thin Lizzy's contribution to this song!

First answer by Avril12321. Last edit by LizzyThin4444. Contributor trust: 1 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 208 [recommend question]